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%\title{Regional center \\for astronomical research and education\\[20mm]
%Status of the research and education infrastructure
%RACIO \\5 years after its validation\\
%Sofia, May 2014}
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\Huge{\bfseries{{Regional astronomical center \\for research and education
\\(RACIO\footnote{The acronym comes from the name of the infrastructure in Bulgarian - {   Регионален Астрономически Център за Изследвания и Образование (РАЦИО)}})}}}
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\Large{\bfseries{Status of the research and education infrastructure
RACIO \\5 years after its validation\\
Sofia, May 2014}}
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\begin{abstract}
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In May 2009 the project RACIO  was positively validated by ESFRI evaluators. Based on their own analysis they simply concluded “Clearly, it should be on the Bulgarian roadmap.” 
On 21.09.2010 the Bulgarian Government included  RACIO in the National Roadmap of Research Infrastructure (Resolution 692/21.09.2010 by the Council of Ministers). Description of the infrastructures included in the National roadmap is published in the dedicated website www.nrri-bg.com/infrastructures. The project RACIO is in accordance with the Horizon 2020 RI aim for Developing the European infrastructures for 2020 and beyond, particularly its second set of activities aims at optimising the use of the national facilities by integrating them into networks and opening their doors to all European researchers (http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/area/research-infrastructures).

RACIO is a non-profit consortium between the three leading astronomical entities  in Bulgaria: the Institute of Astronomy with National Astronomical Observatory  (IANAO, http://www.astro.bas.bg/,  www.nao-rozhen.org) of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, which also operates the Astronomical Observatory in Belogradchik (AOB); the Department of Astronomy of Sofia University ”St. Kliment Ohridiski” (SU http://www.phys.unisofia.bg/~astro/); and the Astronomical Center of Shumen University -“Konstantin Preslavski.” (ShU, http://astro.shu-bg.net). The main goal of RACIO is to close the “knowledge triangle” (research - education – innovation)  by providing   free access to   modern observational  facilities and e-infrastructure, available or planned; by improving the working conditions and attracting new researches; facilitating and organizing astronomical training schools and workshops for young astronomers, students and PhD students and supporting scientific collaboration in joint projects and observational programs with astronomers throughout the EU.

In this document we describe the present status of RACIO, the activities performed in the years after its validation and the plans for its future development.  

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\section{Introduction}
The RACIO Research Infrastructure unites the leading astronomical research  and education facilities in Bulgaria, thus closing the “knowledge triangle” (research - education - innovation). These are: the National Astronomical Observatory – Rozhen (NAO, http://www.nao-rozhen.org/ ), the Astronomical Observatory – Belogradchik (AOB) and the Institute of Astronomy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IA, http://www.astro.bas.bg/); the Department of Astronomy, St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University (SU, http://www.phys.uni-sofia.bg/~astro/); and the Astronomical Center, Shumen University “Konstantin Preslavski” (ShU http://astro.shu-bg.net). RACIO has the advantage of building upon already existing facilities. 
Over the past three decades the NAO played an important role in the development of the astronomical research in South-Eastern Europe. Its scientists, together with the scientists from the other RACIO members, are recognized as leading astronomers in their respective fields of research. The NAO is also the birth place for a number of international projects. Researchers from almost all European countries, USA, India, Chile, and others, are working together with their Bulgarian colleagues in the framework of bilateral or multilateral projects. 
RACIO is a large scale infrastructure. It comprises modern and historical observatories, telescopes with unique instruments and state-of-the-art detectors, residences for the astronomers, auxiliary buildings, workshops, conference and lecture rooms, computer classes, etc. Multidisciplinarity is an inherent feature of astronomy, and RACIO is an interdisciplinary infrastructure: It offers good conditions for  (1) efficient observing of astronomical objects by using a large variety of observing modes, (2) student education at all levels, (3) design and manufacturing of auxiliary instruments for the observations - optical, mechanical and electronic, (4) data reduction and analysis, and (5)  public outreach and dissemination of research results and astronomical news.  
In the following sections we present the technological and financial conditions which, together with a highly qualified staff, will guarantee the efficient exploitation of the RACIO research infrastructure.  
 
Detailed descriptions of the RACIO-members - the IA (including NAO and BAO), the Department of Astronomy at SU, and the Astronomical Center at ShU are given in Appendices A, B, and C, respectively. The required Questionary (Attachment 1) can be found in Appendix D

\section{Description of existing similar RIs}
The existence of state-of-the-art research infrastructures (RIs) is the main prerequisite for successful development of science and technologies. Numerous examples of RIs dedicated to the promotion of science can be found throughout Europe. Such infrastructures often combine research and educational departments, a principle which is considered as the basic characteristic of the organizational structure of RACIO. In Germany, for example, International Research Schools were established at several Institutes of the Max-Planck Gesellschaft (MPG http://www.mpg.de/). In France, there are similar organizations combining research and higher education working under the rules of Unité Mixte of the CNRS (see e.g. description of our partners LAOG and CRAL below). 
Presently, a substantial percentage of the students graduating at the Astronomy Department of SU continue their education in these organizations. 
Astronomers from IA, SU, and ShU have partners and work actively in joint projects with colleagues from almost all European countries. With the combined resources and efforts of its members RACIO will continue to be a powerful tool for strengthening the co-operation within these bilateral and multilateral projects. The further modernization of the NAO facilities will increase its role as the natural centre for astronomical research and education in South-Eastern Europe. RACIO could develop to become a centre offering excellent environment for front-end research. Unique technological solutions could be tested here and offered to the astronomical community all over Europe. 
Recently, Bulgaria was recognized as an associate member of ASTRONET (http://www.astronet-eu.org/). With the establishment of RACIO it will be possible to join OPTICON (Optical Infrared Coordination Network for Astronomy, http://www.astro-opticon.org/) as well.

\section{Description of the RI RACIO}

\subsection{Description of the existing infrastructure}
The existing infrastructure of IA, NAO, and BAO is described in Appendix A, the infrastructures of SU and ShU are described in Appendix B and Appendix C, respectively. The upgrade of the existing infrastructure and the addition of new components will establish RACIO as an unique RI. Thus RACIO could become an important complementary element in the set of European research infrastructures in the field of astronomy and astrophysics. 

\subsection{E-infrastructure. How is it integrated with the existing EU e-infrastructure}
RACIO has a well developed local e-infrastructure. It will be connected to the rest of the world by integrating NAO into the Bulgarian Research and Educational Network (BREN, http://www.bren.acad.bg/en/), which is the regional component of GEANT. RACIO will also use European e-infrastructures such as the AstroGrid (UK), the AstroGrid-D (Germany) etc., following the European Virtual Observatory (VO, http://www.euro-vo.org) initiatives. In addition, through a Bulgarian VO portal (http://www.bgvo.org/) its control systems, observational data gathering and generated data bases will be designed using the most suitable VO standards with the aim to facilitate the open access to the European astronomical community.  RACIO will be a part of the already existing grid e-infrastructure, the Bulgarian Grid Consortium (http://www.grid.bas.bg/site/index.php?page=members). In fact, the RACIO partners are already members of this national grid initiative. 

\subsection{Description of the available scientific and technical personnel}
The description of the scientific and technical personnel of the partner institutions is given in Appendices A, B, and C. The infrastructure will include all the existing personnel of the three member institutions, at present numbering 97.   
% Short CVs of the Heads of the partner organizations are given in 
% Appendices A, B, and C,  respectively. 

\centerline{\bf Contact persons for the respective partner institutions are:}
\begin{itemize}
\item Dr. Tanyu Bonev, Assoc. Prof. – Director, Institute of Astronomy and NAO-Rozhen,
\item Dr. Valeri Golev, Assoc. Prof. – Vice-dean Physics Faculty, Sofia University,
\item Dr. Sci. Diana Kyurkchieva, Prof. – Head of Astronomical Center, Shumen University.\\

Other key persons in the project are: 

\item from the IA and NAO - Dr. Alexander Antov, Dr. Evgeni Semkov, DSc. Nevyana Markova, DSc. Ilian Iliev, Dr. Rumen Bachev, Dr. Haralambi Markov, Dr. Anton Strigachev, Dr. Renada Konstantinova-Antova, DSc. Radoslav Zamanov
\item Dr. Antoaneta Antonova, Dr. Evgeni Ovcharov,  from SU – Dr. Petko Nedyalkov and 
\item from ShU – Dr. Dragomir Marchev. 
\end{itemize}

Estimates show that the maintaining and exploitation of the new state-of-art facilities in the fully operational state needs additional highly qualified staff amounting to about 20\% 
of the present personnel.

\subsection{Science case and socio-economic impact}
The updated RI RACIO will expand the scientific horizon for New scientific problems, related to the Bulgarian astronomy and astrophysics. The well established fields of research such as Sun, Solar System, Non-stationary Stars, Chemically Peculiar Stars, Stellar Atmospheres and Envelopes, Stellar Clusters, and Galaxies will receive new and more effective opportunities given by the planned modernization of the existing infrastructure and addition of new observational equipment. Some of the priority research topics (new and already established) is given below:
\begin{itemize}
\item Quantitative spectroscopy of hot massive stars
\item Mass and radiation transfer in stellar atmospheres. Chemical evolution of the Galaxy.
\item Interacting binary systems
\item Research on weakly studied and new eclipsing binary stars with oscilating components /oEA/
\item Activity and magnetic fields of very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs
\item Activity in late type giant stars
\item Extra Solar planetary systems
\item Astroseismology – non-radial stellar pulsations
\item Photometric, spectral and polarimetric study of the Solar system bodies (main belt objects, Troyans, trance-Neptune objects and comets)
\item Observations of Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and non-functioning remnants of artificial cosmic bodies or apparatuses in Earth orbit 
\item Spectral observations of W UMa type stars 
\item Spectral observations of cataclysmic stars
\item Activity process in the atmosphere of the Sun 
\item Observations and analysis of activity in AGNs
\item Surface photometry and morphology of extragalactic objects
\end{itemize}
Important for the achievement of the scientific goals, listed above, is the planned network of small and medium, robotic and automated telescopes. 
The scientific impact of the small and medium sized telescopes can be optimised by co-ordination at the European level. 
Building upon the existing experience and taking into account the guidelines  outlined in  the ASTRONET's  Science Vision and Roadmap  RACIO  will also focus on the following scientific areas which proved to be of major  interest to the astronomical community worldwide: 
\begin{itemize}
\item optical imaging and surveys complementing the results of leading EU observational facilities (existing and forthcoming)
\item integrated participation in telescope networks for long-term  photometric and spectroscopic surveys 
\item ground-based support  of space missions (e.g.,  GRB follow-up, GAIA  (http://gaia.esa.int/, Rosetta http://rosetta.esa.int/, etc.) 
\item theoretical modelling and numerical simulations of astrophysical processe
\item providing opportunity for high-risk, long-term or classical observations which are unlikely to be allocated time at the large instruments
\item providing opportunity for the testing of innovative new instruments and observational techniques
\item training and education activities
\item public outreach
\end{itemize}

Another circumstance, which is of great importance for the effective utilization of the opportunities offered by the RACIO RI, is the {\bf open access to its facilities on a national and international level}. Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory (NAO) represents the core of the RACIO. The NAO telescopes are used by scientists affiliated not only to the Institute of Astronomy and NAO at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, but also to the Universities of Sofia and Shumen. The NAO research infrastructure is also of use to foreign scientific teams (Serbia, Macedonia, Turkey, Poland, Hungary, etc.), most of which from the Balkan countries. This fact rises NAO as a regional centre for astronomical research and as a research infrastructure, clearly distinguishable in Europe. NAO has also set up as an excellent venue for practical training of students from the Universities of Sofia and Shumen.
The observing time at the telescopes of NAO has been allocated on a competitive basis by a Time Allocation Committee at the Scientific Council of the Institute of Astronomy and NAO. Anyone interested can apply for observing time, as the number of nights allocated mainly depends on the scientific quality of the proposals. In spite of the national and regional importance of NAO, its maintenance and modernization is still the sole responsibility of the Institute of Astronomy and NAO and it has been funded by its budget.
Nevertheless, for each semester, a non-negligible part of the observing nights is granted to research teams whose primary investigators are not a part of the Institute of Astronomy and NAO. Recently, increasing interest in the NAO infrastructure has been shown by research teams from outside the Institute of Astronomy and NAO. This interest is related to the constant modernization of the telescopes of NAO and their equipment carried out by the staff of the Institute of Astronomy and NAO with the assistance of scientists from the Universities of Sofia and Shumen and funded primarily by the Bulgarian Science Fund. 

Together with  the already established close  collaboration between countries in South - Eastern  EU (see e.g.  SREAC \\
http://www.astro.bas.bg/SREAC/statute.html), RACIO will act as a catalyst for further collaborations at regional and pan-European levels.  By means of transnational access contracts, bilateral/multilateral agreements and specific mobility schemes it will enable astronomers from other SE European countries to access modern observational facilities and state-of-the-art methods for astronomical research that would otherwise be unaffordable.  
Upgrading and modernising its observational facilities and providing adequate scientific, technical and logistical support, RACIO will become more attractive to external users to perform their own or collaborative research programmes. Consequently RACIO will become a valuable member of the OPTICON  transnational access programme. RACIO will support the development of the Bulgarian Virtual Observatory  (http://www.bgvo.org) facilitating its efforts to effectively join  the International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA, http://www.ivoa.net).\\

The astronomical community in Bulgaria has long-term experience in organising and performing National and International Astronomical Schools (e.g., http://www.geocities.com/astroschool2006/ and http://astro-brezi.org/). 
These schools provide opportunity to students of all levels and young astronomers to gain practical observational experience at various telescopes  and to obtain knowledge of data processing and analysis. RACIO will continue the training and educational activities described above and extend to European scales by joining the NEON  consortium (http://eas.iap.fr/neonNew.html) . 
In general terms, the RACIO project aims at  providing a range of support actions to assist the participation of SE European countries to the pan-European  initiatives by establishing a RI that will expand and support the ERA in the region. 

Science and technology are major driving forces of modern society and contribute to many aspects of public and personal lives, often in a complex and unpredictable way. Therefore it is hardly possible to assess the direct importance of science and technology (A.F.J. van Raan, 2000, 'R\&D evaluation at the beginning of the new century, Socioeconomic impact of R\&D', Research. Evaluation, 8, 2, 81-86). Economists have deducted that typical rate-of-return criteria do not apply to R\&D (Van den Beemt, F.C.H.D. 2000. ‘Grasping the ungraspable: assessing the contribution of academic research to economic utility’, PhD thesis, University of Leiden.). Instead, the fundamental sciences and astronomy in particular has a deep indirect impact on the society and civilisation as a whole. For example, astronomy affects the advancement in areas such as navigation, space flight, satellite communications and software development.  
RACIO's socio-economic impact will be considerable. The direct short-term yet long-lived impact involves the attraction of more students, young researchers and engineers to the field. The modern competitive environment, offered by this infrastructure will benefit both the reintegration of young scientists and the education and training of students at high school and university levels.  In addition, RACIO will provide Bulgarian astronomers with a more extended  base  for future inter-institutional and international collaborations, feeding astronomical training schools and workshops for young astronomers, students and PhD students and supporting scientific collaboration in joint projects and observational programs with astronomers throughout the EU.  
The planned public outreach will bring astronomy closer to the general public, better the public understanding and thus contribute to the development of the knowledge society.

\subsection{Relevancy of the project’s goals to the National and European strategic documents}
Astronomy is the oldest science and the one with the greatest long-term impact on civilisation. Some of the most significant breakthroughs in modern technology are direct results from the astronomical research. Europe is a leading centre for astronomy interpreted in its widest context, encompassing observational and theoretical work on the constituents of the Universe from the near-Earth environment to the distant Cosmos, and including laboratory studies, education and outreach. That was the main reason why the UN chose 2009 to be an International Year of Astronomy (IYA 2009, http://www.astronomy2009.org). 
Major European facilities such as ESA and ESO have a leading role in European astronomy yet do  not cover all astronomical disciplines or all of Europe. 
Very recently the Bulgarian government has started a procedure for Bulgaria to become a full member of ESA. Although ESA's primary objective is not fundamental research, it does fund scientific projects in the field of astronomy and astrophysics.   
Since 2005  ASTRONET, an EC-funded ERA-NET, is developing a strategic plan for Pan-European  Astronomy (including both Science Vision and Infrastructure Roadmap) for the next 25 years.  Such large-scale long-term co-ordination and co-operation is needed to address the modern scientific challenges. To become a competitive partner in such pan-European endeavors and to address the acknowledged shortage of students and young researchers in the field Bulgaria needs a well-developed local infrastructure.   Following the example of other European countries this infrastructure will combine the resources of research institutes and university units. 
With joint efforts they are looking for answers of the key questions of contemporary astronomy summarized in the Science Vision developed by ASTRONET in 2007 as follows: (A) Do we understand the extremes of the Universe? (B) How do galaxies form and evolve? (C) What is the origin and evolution of stars and planets? (D) How do we fit in? The successful continuation of these research activities, however, depends both on the human resources involved and the upgrade of the existing facilities which are foreseen in RACIO. The greatest effect is expected by attracting more young people to astronomy. The synergy between research and education, which is one of the components in the proposed RI, is considered the main driver of this process.

\subsection{RACIO activities during the last 5 years}
\subsubsection{Working plan}
The initial five years action  plan of RACIO included the following main items:
\begin{enumerate}
\item re-alluminization of the 2m telescope mirror. 
\item commissioning of a new control system for the 2m telescope and the two smaller telescopes   
\item design, construction and manufacture of a high efficient fiber-fed echelle spectrograph for the 2-meter telescope
\item commissioning of a pair of 1.2 m Richey-Chrétien reflectors with the auxiliary instrumentation 	and robotization (+ the dome) 
\item renovation/rehabilitation of the existing buildings at NAO
\item establishing the organisational structure of RACIO
\item  research, university education and qualification
\item  public outreach
\end{enumerate}
\subsubsection{Report on activities included in the pre-RACIO project}
The only contract between the IANAO and the Ministry of Education and Science (MES),
 which was signed to support financially explicitly activities related mainly to the organizational structure, legal questions, and investment plans concerning RACIO, was DO 1-34. The corresponding project is called shortly pre-RACIO. The contract was signed in April 2011, and the project was granted with the amount of 38 000 Euro.  The main activities for which the financial support have to be spent were prescribed by the MES. They included:
\begin{enumerate}
\item preparation of the  “Consortium Charter” defining the manner of collaboration between consortium members, roles and responsibilities as well as the internal rules.
\item analyses of the available astronomical infrastructure, instrumentation and building-stock capacities, education programmes with a main goal improvement the quality and efficiency 
of astronomical observations of student education and skills at different levels
and attractiveness of visitors' centers 
\item investment planing which concerns: a) renovation of the astronomical infrastructure in Bulgaria by improving communication network, organization of astronomical data-base archive, improvement of building-stock capacity and energy consumption efficiency; b) further development the existing astronomical infrastructure by obtaining new observing facilities as new telescopes and instrumentation.
\end{enumerate}

The main goals of these activities are to strengthen the leading position of Bulgaria in the field of astronomy at regional level and to provide the European astronomical community with one more state-of-art astronomical infrastructure.
Based on these activities, a working plan was elaborated and fulfilled. Here we present the positions of this working plan and short description of the results:
\begin{enumerate}
\item The current condition of the RACIO infrastructure and the need of Consortium Headquarter was established. Main results:
\begin{itemize}
\item Investment Plan for renovation of the National Astronomical Observatory buildings was prepared. The project will serve the energy efficiency of hosting buildings to be improved resulting in reduction of the financial expenditures. This step will open the observatory more widely for visiting-astronomers during the winter season and have a deep impact on establishing NAO as all-seasons educational center.
\item Support of the investigation phase for a new high dispersion spectrograph for the 2-m telescope of NAO. As a result the spectrograph was build and commissioned and is  presently (May 2014) under test exploitation.
\item Offers were collected for building a new powerful optical connection of the NAO with the national (BREN, the BG Research and Educational Network) and the world communication network.
\item Detailed analysis has shown that RACIO needs Headquarters in a place with other research institutions and universities. 
\item  In early 2012, the Department of Astronomy (with the help of consulting specialists) made an assessment of the  necessary renovation activities and associated budget for the existing facilities at the Astronomical Observatory of the Department. It is the oldest facility, built especially for the University and among the first observatories on the Balkans. Thus, it is not only a research facility but also a historical monuments that needs to be properly preserved. In addition, the Observatory has a huge potential for public outreach. It is easily accessible to all residents and visitors of Sofia and has always been of great interest to the general public, as evidenced by the constant inquiries about possible visitation from both school authorities  and private citizens.  However, to realise its full outreach potential, the Observatory facilities need to be renovated. This includes renovations of the two buildings, housing the lecture hall, the offices and laboratories, renovation of the two observatory domes, new teaching and office equipment, installing security equipment, etc.





Only in such an environment it can expand fully its potential as an interdisciplinary organization. The permanent contact with other scientists, astronomers and from other disciplines, will allow the development of innovative methods of data reduction and analysis, the design of new instruments, the regular exchange of ideas at seminars, conferences and discussions. 
The IANAO does not have its own premises in Sofia, it uses several offices in the building of the Institute of Electronics, under conditions far below the contemporary standards for scientific work.  The astronomers of the Department of Astronomy need also better conditions for their everyday research work. New modern Headquarters of RACIO, comprising  offices for all staff members, with seminar and conference room, with mechanical, optical and electronic workshops,  with guest rooms would contribute sufficiently for the efficiency and quality of the research work. There are many examples of this organizational structure of an astronomical institution - Headquarters in larger cities, between other institutions and universities, and observatories far from the big cities and away from light pollution, in most cases on high locations in the mountains. Probably, the best example in this respect is the European Southern Observatory (www.eso.org) with Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, and the telscopes in Chile, in the Atacama desert.  
\end{itemize}

\item Human resources and logistic needs: An analysis was performed concerning the collaboration between consortium members in the process of student education and their early participation in real astronomical observations and scientific investigation process. Following the last years tradition in hosting different meetings special attention was devoted to the possibility NAO Rozhen to be formed as a center for student practices, schools and workshops on regional and European level. Сreation of new working places for engineers and technicians for the needs of the astronomical observations was discussed.

\item  Environmental restrictions in the process of the NAO infrastructure expansion/enlargement: A thorough document presenting an environmental analyse of all aspects of  new build-up process in NAO is available. The document includes evaluation of annual energy consumption of the complex and discusses alternative sources available.  

\item Investment Plan of RACIO: A document which addresses the real costs of all planned activities is constructed. This includes costs for:
\begin{itemize}
\item Consortium Headquarter establishment
\item renovation of NAO housing buildings aimed to improve energy efficiency  
\item new two 1.2 m RC telescopes in NAO
\item new state-of-art instrumentation and detectors 
\item renovation of the available astronomical facilities of all three members of RACIO.
\item staff salaries
\end{itemize}

\item Consortium legalization and possible problems during its establishment. The three partners of RACIO reached consensus on the statute of consortium and stated the manner of collaboration establishing Consortium Charter and Rules of Consortium Government.
\item Public outreach of the consortium activities:
\begin{itemize}
\item A movie (21 minutes) presenting National Astronomical Observatory scientific infrastructure and its activity since its establishment is created and already available for visitors.
\item Strategic aim of the Bulgarian astronomers is the participation of Bulgaria as a full member of the European South Observatory. As first step communication with ESON (ESO Science Outreach Network) was established. Another priority of RACIO activity is to be included in The Network of European Observatories in the North (NEON), schools for young scientists education. Regular contacts with the coordinator of the NEON School - Michel Dennefeld (IAP, Paris) - were made for this purpose in the last years. In fact, this year (in September 2014), NAO will host an Observing school funded by OPTICON. 
\item A  new strategy for extensive development of the public outreach activities at RACIO was developed. It consists of  two main nodes placed in the NAO: indoor multimedia exhibition “Rozhen Universe”  and an outdoor  attraction “The home of the Sun” presenting a scaled model of Solar system. The last will be implanted in the NAO's environment to allow visitors to get a close impression on the Solar system structure.
\end{itemize}
\end{enumerate}

\subsubsection{Implementation of the working plan funded by other sources}
The funding for the most of the below listed activities came from contracts with the MES or the NSF.
\begin{enumerate}
\item Re-alluminization of the 2-meter telescope mirror was performed in 2008, even before the validation procedure of RACIO. This action had the amount of 75 000 EU and was funded by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). Transport to Jena, insurance and other supporting actions were made by contracts with national companies, the coating itself was made by the German company 4H-Jena. After the alluminization the efficiency of the observations with the 2-meter telescope encreased by a factor of two.    
\item Commissioning of a new control system for the 2m telescope was performed by the Czech company Project Soft (www.projectsoft.cz/). Contract with the company was signed after an open tender procedure. The total price for the new CS was 280 000 Euro, and the funding was secured by a project with the NSF, contract DO 02-85/2008. The design of the new CS was based on industrial controllers, and with its commissioning, in December 2009, the 2-meter telescope changed to a very reliable machine for astronomical observations. Since that time there was not one clear night lost due to technical reasons, which resulted in an enormous increase of the efficiency of the observing process.   
\item Control systems for the smaller telescopes are under construction presently. According to the contract between IANAO and the company AMK-Gabrovo the 60-cm telescope  should be operated with a new control system by mid of May 2014. The funding for the hardware and software of this system is 14 000 Euro and is secured by the BAS.     
\item Design, construction and manufacturing of an  {\bf E}chelle {\bf SPE}ctrograph for the 2 m {\bf RO}zhen telescope, ESPERO:
Our initial plans was to design and manufacture a slightly modified version of FEROS echelle spectrograph. However, after one year of consultations and negotiations with the authorised persons from Max-Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg, it became clear that the consortium cannot afford the design, construction and manufacturing of an instrument like FEROS (about 840 000 EURO) and consequently, a new strategy to build  a fiber-fed echelle spectrograph for the 2m telescope in collaboration/partnership  with other Bulgarian entities  was developed and put into work. 
In brief,  the Bulgarian echelle spectrograph  ESPERO  was designed by IANAO in close  collaboration with the Institute of Solid State Physics (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) and manufactured by the Plant for Optics (Panagyurishte, Bulgaria) as a contractor, after an open tender procedure. 
The instrument design looks like an improved version of MUSICOS. 
Main differences are the use of only one cross-dispersing prism and larger CCD, which allows the obtaining of the entire visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum in one shot.  
The spectrograph is mounted  on an active vibration isolation optical table located in a controlled environment (temperature and humidity), and is fed by a 30-meter long optical fiber from the RC focus of the 2-m telescope. ESPERO covers a spectral range from 380 to 920 nm with a spectral resolving power of 35 000. It was commissioned in December 2013 and is now in a phase of test observations. The total funding for the spectrograph, including all related costs (contract with the Plant for Optics, legal preparation of the open tender, additional computers, materials for preparing the controlled room, etc.) amounted to 160 000 Euro, secured by   
by a project with the NSF, contract DO 02-85/2008.
\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[scale=0.25]{FIGU-IMG_9096_1024.jpg}
\includegraphics[scale=0.25]{ESPERO_podKapak_IMG_8190.jpg}
\caption{ESPERO - The Echelle Spectrograph Rozhen. Left: Fiber injection and guiding unit. Right: The spectrograph mounted on the vibration controlled optical table and covered with the enclosure.}
\end{figure}
\item Commissioning of a pair of 1.2 m Richey-Chrétien reflectors with the auxiliary instrumentation 	and robotization (+ the dome) 
An important part of the RACIO 2009 – 2014 working plan was the building of a new observational facility on the territory of the NAO Rozhen. Preliminary design studies showed that most suitable for our scientific purposes is a pair of 1.2-meter Ritchey-Chrétien reflectors with corresponding auxiliary instrumentation at all four available Nasmyth foci. Being robotized, this telescope pair will allow   scheduled observational programmes like those running at the robotelescope pair STELLA-I and STELLA-II (http://www.aip.de/stella/) of the Astrophysical institute of Potsdam and the Instituto de Astrofisika de Canarias (http://www.iac.es) to be performed.

Unfortunately, despite our efforts we failed to make any progress in realising this goal. The main reason for this was the world financial crisis and the stagnation of Bulgarian economy which   made it difficult, even impossible, to secure the necessary funds (1 200 000 EU) to build this new infrastructure.  However, we are optimistic for the future and believe that if the economic and financial situation in Europe and Bulgaria in particular will improve during the next five years, this would give us an opportunity to realise this important part of the RACIO action plan as well. 

\item Renovation/rehabilitation of the existing buildings at NAO - an investment plan was prepared with funds from the project pre-RACIO, supported financially by  contract DO 1-34 with the Ministry of Education and Science (MES).
\item Establishing the organisational structure of RACIO - As a part of this task, three very important documents were drawn up:  RACIO statute, RACIO operational regulations and RACIO managing committee operational regulations. These documents were worked out by a legal practitioner, in close collaboration with the Directors of the three consortium members and in accordance to the Bulgarian laws and the specific requirements concerning a RI like RACIO.  This activity was funded by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science through a contract DO 1-34 with MES.
\item Research, university education and qualification - Activities in this field are running permanently. The total number of scientific publications for the 5 years period is 830; 180 of these are peer reviewed papers in international journals with IF; 374 are papers published in journals without IF; 195 - contributions in national and international astronomical meetings, conferences and symposia. The number of PhD students and thesis defences is 9.  The number of projects realized by the consortium, or by some of its members, during the past 5 years,  exceeds 20. Basic data for some of these projects are listed in Appendix E.

 \item Public outreach - For the five years period the facilities of RACIO have been visited by more than 75 000 people - this is by ~30\% more, compared to the previous period (2005 - 2009).  The main reasons for this development are  the improved management of the public outreach activity at NAO;  the inclusion of new services and “attractions' such as, e.g,. 
the building of a visitor center equipped with 18 cm Meniscus telescope which allows direct observations of  interesting astronomical objects to be  performed on request of interested visitors. This new facility  was granted through a project developed in collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Development of the Mountains – Smolyan under a program of the Ministry of Environment and Water.
The Observatory is fully accessible to persons with disabilities. Facilities that can help them were built in the frame of joint project between IA NAO and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Due to existing infrastructure (living rooms, conference hall, WiFi internet, and computer classes) the Observatory proposes year-round training for the university and high-school students both from Bulgaria and abroad. More information about the events that took place during the last four years can be found on page: 
http://nao-rozhen.org/schools/fr.htm 

Rozhen Observatory is very attractive point for the amateur astronomers as well. Since 2012 two remote controlled high-level amateur telescopes started working here: 
http://www.irida-observatory.org/ 
Drawing on our own experience and good practices of  similar institutions abroad, we developed a new strategy for extensive development of the public outreach activities at  RACIO. The project consists of two main parts:  the creation of an indoor exhibition “Rozhen Universe” and of an outdoor  attraction “Home of the Sun”. ( For more information see ACTION plan for the 2014 – 2018 period).  The planned activities have been prepared with financial support by DO 1-34 with MES.
\end{enumerate}

\subsection{Technical case and basic infrastructure updates in the future.}

Technologically, the implementation of RACIO involves the renewal and rehabilitation of the existing astronomical facilities in Bulgaria, and the construction of completely new components. The renewal and rehabilitation represents modernization of the control systems (CS) of the available telescopes. The planned new components are: (1) upgrade of the echelle spectrograph for the 2-meter telescope and (2) purchasing of two 1.2 m remote-controlled (in perspective robotic) telescopes (estimated cost 1300 000 EU each)  that will operate in fully unattended mode as a pair of robo-telescopes deciding about the best observing strategy on the fly. The single building 244 000 EU) which will host them will also be automated. 
The realization of step (1) will increase the usage effectiveness the 2-meter telescope and its reliability. 
The design of  new CSs for the smaller telescopes (350 000 EU) has already a pan-European character – by default, according to the legal regulations, it will be implemented after an open tender on European level. 
One of the requirements for the control systems is to be designed with standard industry controllers. 
This will guarantee the high reliability and long life of the system and, in parallel, will offer the flexibility needed for the system maintenance. 
The standard  controllers will also provide the  opportunity to combine the telescope and its auxiliary units in a sophisticated integrated body of instruments (the detectors presently used at the telescopes are described in 
\begin{verbatim}
www.nao-rozhen.org/telescopes/fr_en.htm, 
\end{verbatim}
details for the autoguiding system can be found in 
\begin{verbatim}
www.astro.bas.bg/~tbonev/Autoguider/Autoguider.html. 
\end{verbatim}
The implementation of the second major component of upgrading the existing infrastructure,
the echelle spectrograph was done during 2013. It is now in a test phase of exploitation and, after starting its regular use, it will place RACIO at the forefront in the field of contemporary astronomical spectroscopy. 
It will provide full coverage of the visual spectral region at a high resolving power (R $\approx$ 45000). According to the initial plans the design, assembly and alignment of the instrument should be done at the University and Observatory in Heidelberg (www.lsw.uni\-heidelberg.de/projects/instrumentation/Feros/) with the participation of RACIO‘s young scientists. Such cooperative work would provide the Bulgarian young scientists with unique opportunities for practical mastering of contemporary technologies and astronomical instrument design methods. The thus acquired knowledge and skills will be a prerequisite for the future technological development of RACIO. The estimated costs for the echelle spectrograph were 840 000 EU. Now, only smaller updates are planned for the next 5 years, which are combined with the updates of the CS in a total amount of 150 000 Euro.
The 2-meter mirror and the optics of the smaller telescopes should be alluminized in the coming years (120 000 Euro). After re-coating, the 2-meter telescope should be precisely aligned by a spezialized team of telescope designers (20 000 Euro).  
Another important part of the RI plan is the building of a new observational facility on the territory of the NAO Rozhen. Preliminary design studies have shown that most suitable for the purpose is a pair of 1.2-meter Ritchey-Chretien reflectors with corresponding auxilliary instrumentation at all four available Nasmyth foci.  The estimated costs for these  telescopes is 1 944 000 Euro, and for auxiliary instrumentation and robotization is approximately 1 200 000 Euro. A  possible manufacturer is the company Halfmann Teleskoptechnik (http://www.halfmann-teleskoptechnik.com/). This kind of telescopes is characterised by high speed slewing, high accuracy of pointing, and high accuracy of tracking.  A motorised movable mirror provides access to both Nasmyth foci and allows fast switching between them. If appropriate instruments are mounted at each focus, a fast change will be possible from spectral to imaging (photometric) mode and vice versa. Being capable to be robotized, the telescope pair will be  able to autonomously perform scheduled  scientific observational programmes like the program of the robo-telescope pair STELLA-I and STELLA-II  (http://www.aip.de/stella/) of the Astrophysical institute of Potsdam and Instituto de Astrofisika de Canarias (http://www.iac.es). This pair of robo-telescope could be used remotely by high school-, university-,  and PhD-students worldwide for educational purposes.
The computer class at NAO should be updated with new powerful PCs, allowing fast data processing and analysis immediate after obtaining astronomical spectra and images. (25 000 Euro). The old detectors, working on all telescopes, should be replaced with new ones, having higher efficiency and thermoelectrical cooling (600 000 Euro - this amount includes detectors for the telescopes in NAO, SU, and ShU).    

Additional upgrades of telescopes, and auxiliary instruments are needed for the RACIO-members on-site, at their local infrastructures. These includes instruments for the student observatory Plana (250 000 Euro), and for the AC at ShU (150 000 Euro).

The buildings in NAO, domes of the telescopes, residences, workshops, etc., have not been renovated during the 35 years after their building. A total renovation and rehabilation is needed, which will improve the working and living conditions for all RACIO staff members. The total cost for the renovation amount to 1 350 000 Euro. The conference room at NAO must be renovated and equipped with specialized conference facilities (150 000 Euro). The historical observatory of the SU, Borissova Gradina, and the offices and laboratories at the Department of Astronomy at SU, need a renovation which will cost 160 000 and 150 000  Euro, respectively. The AC at ScU needs also renovation which will cost 90 000 Euro, and the building of a dome for the telescope is estimated to the amount of 200 000 Euro. 
Very important item in this list is the need of Headquarters for RACIO. Arguments for the  importance of a centralized offices and laboratories for the efficient exploitation of the research infrastructure were given above. In combination with a Planetarium, which will be of enormous significance for the public outreach of RACIO, the costs are about 4 500 000 Euro. 

The yearly operational costs of RACIO are estimated to 1 860 000 Euro, distributed between the budget of RACIO (1 200 000 Eu), and the budget of IANAO, SU, and ShU, contributing with 500 000, 120 000, and 40 000 Euro, respectively. 

Summary of all costs, needed for the exploitation of the RI RACIO in the next 5 years is given in chapter 4.
  
\subsection{Identifying additional partners from the private
and/or public sectors}

\begin{itemize}
\item Halfmann Teleskoptechnik GmbH \& Co. KG
Gessertshausener Str. 8
D-86356 Neusäß-Vogelsang
Germany
http://www.halfmann-teleskoptechnik.com/htm/contact.htm

\item Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam
An der Sternwarte 16
D-14482 Potsdam
Germany
http://www.aip.de/

\item Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung
Max-Planck-Straße 2
D-37191 Katlenburg-Lindau
Germany
http://www.mps.mpg.de/ 


\item Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg
Landessternwarte
Königstuhl 12
D-69117 Heidelberg
Germany
http://www.lsw.uni-heidelberg.de/ 

\item Armagh Observatory
College Hill, Armagh
BT61 9DG, N. Ireland 
UK
http://www.arm.ac.uk

\item Department of Information Technology, National University of Ireland, Galway,
Newcastle Road, Galway, 
Republic of Ireland
http://astro.nuigalway.ie/

\item Laboratoire d'Astrophysique (LAOG)
Observatoire de Grenoble 
Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR 5571)
BP 53 
F-38041 Grenoble Cédex 9 
France
http://www-laog.obs.ujf-grenoble.fr/ 

\item Centre de Recherche Astronomique de Lyon (CRAL)
Observatoire de Lyon
Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR 5574)
9 avenue Charles André 69561 Saint Genis Laval cédex
France
http://www-obs.univ-lyon1.fr/  

\item PLANT FOR OPTICS
Hi-Tech Industial Park “Opticoelectron”
4500 Panagyurishte
Bulgaria
website: www.pfo-bg.com

\item AMK Limited
Drives and Controls
5300  Gabrovo
Bulgaria

\item  and others (ESO, OPTICON etc.)
\end{itemize}

\subsection{SWAT analysis of the scientific and technological excellence}

\begin{center}
\begin{longtable}{ | p{7cm} | p{7cm} | }
%\begin{minipage}[]{155mm}


\caption{\textbf{SWOT analysis of the scientific and technological excellence of RI-RACIO, 2014}} \\


\hline
\textbf{Strengths} & \textbf{Weaknesses} \\
\hline

\multirow{1}{*}{}   & \\
                   \textbf{S1.}  RACIO is part of the National Roadmap for RI.  & \textbf{W1.} Despite of all the efforts and the good research staff, the present equipment remains at a mid-level and still far from the forefront of astronomy. \\
                    \textbf{S2.}  The project is in accordance with the Horizon 2020 RI  aim for Developing the European infrastructures for 2020 and beyond, particularly its second set of activities aims at optimising the use of the national facilities by integrating them into networks and opening their doors to all European researchers. & \textbf{W2.} Lack of a good age distribution. All the staff needs more mobility.\\ 
\textbf{S3.}  Highly educated and internationally recognised research staff. Leadership at national and regional level.& \textbf{W3.} Insufficient international networking and participation in large projects, especially concerning modern research topics. \\
 \textbf{S4.} RACIO is a unique RI in South-Eastern Europe. & \textbf{W4.} Insufficient collaboration with the industry and the government. \\
                   \textbf{S5.} Existing bi-lateral (with various countries) and regional collaborations (e.g. SREAC). Participation  in international research consortia and EU structures. & \textbf{W5.} Need of a new research strategy implementing Horizon 2020. To find priorities that will bring RACIO at the level of the EU astronomy. \\
                   \textbf{S6.} A wide range of research fields. & \textbf{W6.} Insufficient funding for infrastructure maintenance and renovation, research and salaries. Need of infrastructure improvement. \\
                   \textbf{S7.} Increase the qualification of young researchers by means of schools and EU ESF projects. & \textbf{W7.} Lack of qualified technical and support staff. \\
                   \textbf{S8.} Internationally competitive scientific production. & \\
                   \textbf{S9.} Young people involved as researchers and PhD students. & \\
                   \textbf{S10.} Social impact -- education of students at all levels. Dissemination of astronomy for the public. Activities useful to government structures, etc. & \\
                   \textbf{S11.} Equipment updated and/or renovated regularly using NSF funding. & \\
                   \textbf{S12.} Awareness of the staff in the responsibilities related to the role of RACIO in its field at national level.  \\& \\
                      \textbf{S3.} Team oriented style of work. \\& \\

                     & \\

\hline

\textbf{Opportunities} & \textbf{Threats} \\
\hline

\multirow{1}{*}{}   & \\
                   \textbf{O1.} Update the research priorities in accordance to Horizon 2020. Identification of new topics under development. & \textbf{T1.} Despite of the very positive evaluation of the proposal by ESFRI, RACIO hasn't been funded during the  evaluation period. Only 38 000 Euro were given for preparatory work. \\
                   \textbf{O2.} Strengthening of the international collaborations and networking. & \textbf{T2.} Problems with non-regularly funding of the NSF. \\
                   \textbf{O3.} Finding suitable EU programmes for funding. & \textbf{T3.} Highly insufficient budgets of BAS, SU and ShU to maintain RACIO. \\
                   \textbf{O4.} Including research groups from RACIO to already existing EU projects as partners. & \\
                   \textbf{O5.} Search for additional funding at national level (NSF projects and the industry). & \\
                   \textbf{O6.} Search for opportunities for interdisciplinary projects (environment, government structures, etc). & \\
                   \textbf{O7.} Involving qualified technical staff and engineers under contract using the RACIO budget. & \\
                   \textbf{O8.} Additional funding of the research staff by the RACIO budget. Attracting new Bulgarian and foreign researchers. & \\
                   \textbf{O9.} New modern equipment to meet EU level. & \\
                    & \\

\hline


%\end{minipage}

\end{longtable}

\end{center}

\section{Costs for renovation, upgrade, and operation }
\subsection{Upgrades of the telescopes, instruments, detectors, computers}
\begin{tabular}{lr}
\hline
Item & Amount \\
\hline \hline
New control systems for the smaller telescopes & 0.350 MEuro \\
Updates of the CS of the 2-meter telescope     & 0.150 MEuro \\
Coating of the optics of the 2-meter telescope & 0.120 MEuro \\
Optical alignment of the 2-meter telscope      & 0.020 MEuro \\
Two new robotic telescopes, each of 1.2 meter  & 1.944 MEuro \\
Instrumentation for the robo-telescopes        & 1.200 MEuro \\
New computer class with powerful workstations  & \\
for fast image processing  and analysis        & \\
(10 computers x 2500 Euro)                     & 0.025 MEuro \\
New detectors for all telescopes (4k x4k CCDs) & 0.600 MEuro \\  
Instruments for the Student Observatory Plana  & 0.250 MEuro \\
Instruments for the AC at ShU                  & 0.150 MEuro \\           
\hline
Total:                                         & 4.809 MEuro \\ 
\hline 
\end{tabular}

\subsection{Renovation of buildings and offices}
\begin{tabular}{lr}
\hline
Item & Amount \\
\hline \hline
Outer and inner rehabilitation and renovation  &             \\
of all NAO buildings                           & 1.350 MEuro \\
Establishment of conference center in NAO      & 0.150 MEuro \\
Renovation and equipment for the University    &            \\
Observatory, Borissova Gradina, Sofia          & 0.160 MEuro\\             
Renovation of offices and laboratories in SU   & 0.150 MEuro \\
Renovation of offices in AC, Shumen Uni        & 0.090 MEuro \\
Building of an astro-dome and                  &             \\
auxiliary buildings for the AC at ShU          & 0.200 MEuro \\  
Headquarters of RACIO with Planetarium         & 4.500 MEuro \\       
\hline
Total:                                         & 6.600 MEuro   \\ 
\hline 
\end{tabular}

\subsection{Operational costs}
\begin{tabular}{lrr}
\hline
Source & per year & total amount for 5 years  \\
\hline \hline
Budget apllied for by RACIO  & 1.200 MEuro & 6.000 MEuro \\
IANAO                        & 0.500 MEuro & 2.500 MEuro \\
SU                           & 0.120 MEuro & 0.600 MEuro \\  
ShU                          & 0.040 MEuro & 0.200 MEuro \\ 
\hline
Total:                       & 1.860 MEuro & 9.300 MEuro \\ 
\hline 
\end{tabular}

{\it Remarks: (1) The operational costs are the sum of running expenditures and salaries for the staff members. (2) All costs related to NAO include also funding for update and renovation activities in AOB.}

The total budget for development and efficient exploitation of the RI RACIO during the next 5 years is 17.409 MEuro. (This is the required contribution for the RI RACIO, the separate contributions of the RACIO-members are excluded from the total amount). 
  
\subsection{SWOT analysis of the budget and sustainability}
\begin{center}

\begin{longtable}{ | p{6.5cm} | p{6.5cm} | }

%\caption{\textbf{SWOT analysis of the budget and sustainability of RI-RACIO, 2014}} \\


\hline
\textbf{Strengths} & \textbf{Weaknesses} \\
\hline

\multirow{1}{*}{}   & \\
                   \textbf{S1.} The budget meets the goals and action plan of RACIO. & \textbf{W1.} Lack of targeted government funding. \\
                   \textbf{S2.} RI RACIO has been preserved and even developed in some degree during the years of economical crisis under various projects, due to the good competition skills of the team and the quality of research performed. & 
                   \textbf{W2.} No budget for mobility, conferences  and international collaborative works. \\
                   \textbf{S3.} The proposed budget, if met, will bring RACIO at the level of EU astronomy and will create opportunities for further development. & \\
                     & \\

\hline

\textbf{Opportunities} & \textbf{Threats} \\
\hline

\multirow{1}{*}{}   & \\
                   \textbf{O1.} Implement Horizon 2020 to its full possible extent. & 
                   \textbf{T1.} Impossible adequate long term sustainability without targeted government funding.\\
                   \textbf{O2.} Provide the necessary budget for mobility. & 
                   \textbf{T2.} Irregularity of the calls for science projects in Bulgaria. \\
                   \textbf{O3.} Applying for future national and international grants. & \\                 
%
%%%%% Expected end of the economic crisis and more financial stability. \\
%
                    & \\

\hline


\end{longtable}
\end{center}


\section{Commitment of the institutions
and support from potential partners}
Institutions which might show interest in this Project (apart from the governing bodies of the partners included in RACIO) are: 
\begin{itemize}
\item The Bulgarian National Science Fund (http://www.nsfb.net/)  which can partly support the future exploitation of this RI, granting research projects based on using the new and upgraded facilities;
\item European regional development fund, European social fund, etc. Partial renovations and rehabilitation of RACIO in the future could be implemented with funding from the European structural funds; 
\item The South East Europe Operational Programme (http://www.eufunds.bg/) could fund transnational access to the infrastructure; 
\item about 10 Bulgarian Public Astronomical Observatories and Planetariums can use RACIO for teaching and research purposes. 
Finally, the upgraded science infrastructure at the National Astronomical Observatory  “Rozhen” will enhance the local socio-cultural climate and, being attractive object for cultural tourism, will reinforce the potential of the Smolyan district as a tourist destination of international interest.
\end{itemize}

\section{Coordination and management- structure, rules, and SWOT}

The project management is accomplished by the Project Leader (Project Coordinator is a synonym in this case), supported by:
\begin{itemize}
\item 	Project Secretary
\item Coordinators and
\item Commissions (Boards)
who are using pre-defined  
\item Tools 
and
\item Rules for decision making
\end{itemize}

This structure of the project management is developed to guarantee the successful completion of the scientific goals and objectives and the timely realization of the technological steps planned. The structure should secure (a) an effective decision making, (b) a good environment for internal communication, and (c) the technical and administrative servicing of the project.
The Project Leader, the Secretary and the Coordinators participate in the Project Managing Commission (MC). 

\begin{enumerate}
\item Project Leader (PL):
The PL coordinates the overall activities during the realization of the project. He maintains operatively the communication with external organizations (national and international) which are directly connected with the achievement of the project goals and objectives, as well the communication with the organizations which are directly related to the financing and implementation of the project:  

\item Secretary:
The Secretary assists the PL in the project management, supported by the technical coordinator and by the scientific coordinator. Her/his basic responsibility is to check if the planned actions are carried out in accordance with the project schedule. The secretary is responsible for the maintenance of the project documentation and archive.

\item Coordinators:
\begin{enumerate}
\item Technical Coordinator (TC):
The technical coordinators keeps track of the timely implementation of the technical activities planned in the project. During the first phase of the project (development and modernization of the RI) he/she is responsible for the agreements, delivery, and commissioning of the planned new instruments and other equipment. During the second phase of the project he/she checks the proper use of the equipment and, when necessary, organizes the warranty and after-warranty maintenance of the equipment. 
\item Scientific Coordinator (SC): 
The Scientific Coordinator controls the achievement of the project scientific objectives. The role of the SC is particularly important during the second phase of the project (exploitation of RACIO), when a great part of the technological renovation of the RI will be complete. During this phase, the responsibility of the SC will be to create optimal conditions for effective utilization of the new equipment with the aim to achieve the scientific goals of the project.
\item Coordinator for Public Relations (CPR):
The Coordinator for Public Relations is responsible for publicizing the activities performed in the framework of the project. The CPR will be responsible for contact with the media, as well as the regular preparation of press releases, public outreach matherials etc. 
\end{enumerate}

\item	Commissions (Boards): 
\begin{itemize}
\item Project Management Commission (MC). The role of this commission is to plan operatively the steps to be done to achieve the strategic objectives of the project. Chair of this commission is  the PL and members are the Secretary and the Coordinators. 
\item Technical Commission. The Technical Commission controls the activities connected with achievement of the technical objectives of the project. Chair of this commissionm is the Technical Coordinator, and the members are appointed by the  Project Management Commission.
\end{itemize}

\item Tools:
\begin{itemize}
\item Documentation and Archive – The project files are maintained by the project Secretary. The project documentation includes minutes from the meetings of the commissions, correspondence with the funding institutions, technical specifications, research papers, publications in the press, and other documents related to the realization of the project.  The project Secretary keeps a log-book in which enters all operational decisions and activities of the project Coordinators.
\item  Dispute resolution – all conflicts will be resolved by voting inside of the Project Management Commission. Simple majority will be sufficient to take a decision. 
\item Reports for the implementation of the project. They are prepared by the Coordinators at fixed time intervals the length of which will be set by the Project MC, yet not longer than 6 months. Following these reports, reports for the funding organization(s) will be prepared together with a plan for the succeeding period.
\end{itemize}

\item Rules for decision making
\begin{enumerate}
\item Operational decisions – operational decisions aiming to achieve given project objectives are taken by the corresponding Coordinator who then informs the Project Leader and the Secretary adds the report to the project files.
\item Management decisions – decisions related to changes in the project parameters (changes in the schedule, reallocation of budget and/or resources, etc.) must be taken by the Project Management Commission. 
\end{enumerate}
\end{enumerate}


% SWOT analysis
\begin{center}

\begin{longtable}{ | p{7cm} | p{7cm} | }

\caption{\textbf{SWOT analysis of the governance capacity of RI-RACIO, 2014}} \\


\hline
\textbf{Strengths} & \textbf{Weaknesses} \\
\hline

\multirow{1}{*}{}  & \\
\textbf{S1.} The management structure conforms with the requirements and suggestions of the ESFRI validation report. Control of the RACIO actions is also provided. & 
\textbf{W1.} Despite of the prepared consortium charter, no actual management body has been appointed yet. \\ 
\textbf{S2.} The availability of qualified staff guarantees the formation of experienced management body. & 
\textbf{W2.} A need for more detailed description of the management rules.\\
\textbf{S3.} Awareness of the managment body in the responsibilities related to the role of RACIO as a leading RI in its field. & 
\textbf{W3.}  Not good correlation between the project for “Statutes” and the ``Management structure''.\\ 
%Since the actions of RACIO concerns many researchers in 3 institutions, their vote should be %taken into account. 12 representatives in the General Council (including 6 only from IA and %NAO, who is the main contributor of infrastructure, technical and human resources) is a too %small number. 
\textbf{S4.} Team oriented style of work. & 
\textbf{W4.} Need of more balanced representation of the RACIO-members in the decision making process. \\
\textbf{S5.} Contacts with different national institutions and with institutions in EU. &  \\\textbf{S6.} The action plan is adequate to the goals. & \\
                    & \\


\hline

\textbf{Opportunities} & \textbf{Threats} \\
\hline

\multirow{1}{*}{}  & \\
\textbf{O1.} Implementing established European practices in the governance of the RI RACIO & 
\textbf{T1.} No experience in the management of large scale national RIs at present. \\
\textbf{O2.} Precised managment rules. & 
\textbf{T2.} Weak economy \\
\textbf{O3.} Finding next generation managers. & 
\textbf{T3.} Not clearly defined legal regulations for consortia like RACIO.\\
\textbf{O4.} Efficient use of the updated and new facilities  & 
\textbf{T4.} No regular information for the future of the RI and eventual funding. \\
\textbf{O5.} Flexible work with the budget when possible. Negotiations with the trade partners under contracts where possible. & \\
                   & \\

\hline


\end{longtable}
\end{center}

\section{Timetable}
\begin{tabular}{ccccc}
\hline
2015 & 2016 & 2017 & 2018 & 2019 \\
\hline \hline
A & A &&& \\
B & B &&& \\
C &C & C& C & \\
D & D& D& D& D \\
E &E & E& E &E \\
 && F& F& F\\
 &&& G& G\\
 &&&&H \\
\hline
\end{tabular}


{\it List of activities:}
\begin{enumerate}
\item A: Ordering of robo-telescopes 
\item B: Ordering of detectors and computers
\item C: Outer renovation and rehabilitation of buildings
\item D: Inner renovation and rehabilitation of buildings. Building RACIO's Headquarters. 
\item E: Preparation of yearly reports
\item F: Establishment of conference room, computer classes, ...
\item G: Preparation for the final report
\item H: Working on final report and audit
\end{enumerate} 

%%% Start of appendices

\newpage
% \setcounter{secnumdepth}{0}
\section*{Appendices}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{\protect\numberline{}Appendices}
\appendix

\section{Description of Institute of Astronomy and
National astronomical Observatory
at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences}
\subsection{The Institute}
The Institute of Astronomy (IA) is the largest institution in Bulgaria for professional astronomical research. It was founded in 1995 as the successor of the Department of Astronomy (DA) with National Astronomical Observatory. The DA at the Physical Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) was founded in 1953 and from 1958 it became a self-dependent branch of BAS. 
The Institute of Astronomy carries out fundamental research in observational astronomy, as well as theoretical investigations on the origin and evolution of cosmic objects. In correspondence to the fields of research, the scientific activities of IA are distributed among four departments: Sun and Solar System, Stars and stellar systems, Galaxies and cosmology and Astroinformatics.  IA has scientific relations and co-operation with other institutions in Bulgaria having astronomical departments: the Space Research and Technology Institute, the Sofia University Faculty of Physics Department of Astronomy,  and the Shumen University Department for Applied and Theoretical physics. Partner organizations of IA abroad are more than 100 institutions from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, UK, USA, Russia, Ukraine, etc. IA is an active partner in the SUB-REGIONAL EUROPEAN ASTRONOMICAL COMMITTEE (SREAC), sponsored by UNESCO-BRESCE. The present staff of the IA includes seventy-nine persons (PhD students are not included in this number). The distribution of the staff members, in accordance to their positions, is shown in figure 2.

	\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[scale=1.0]{Staf.jpg} 
\caption{Distribution of the staf of the Institute of astronomy with NAO (includes also the staff of AOB}
	\end{figure}

  
 
Fifty two scientific projects were developed in the IA over the period 2009-2013. 
These include 12 projects of the institute, 
13 projects with the National Science Foundation, 1 projects sponsored by UNESCO\-ROSTE, 
2 projects with ministries in Bulgaria, 
2 projects under the EU Operational programs and 22 bilateral inter academic projects.  
The total number of scientific publications over the period 2009-2013 is 506. 
Over the same period the total number of citations is more than 1400. 
There are more than 130 papers published in the major European (Astronomy \& Astrophysics, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Astron. Nachrichten, ApSS), American (Astrophysical Journal, Astronomical Journal, Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Icarus). The rest have been published in national national (Bulg. J. Phys., Bulg. Astr. J.) journals  for professional astronomy, as well as in conference proceedings. 

In the past 5 years 12 PhD students worked at the IANAO, 7 of them defended their PhD thesis.
In spite of the century-old tradition in training and preparation of qualified specialists and of the success recently achieved in the field of scientific research, observational, educational, qualifying, and popularizing activities, astronomy in Bulgaria experiences difficulties to keep the good specialists, mainly due to lack of funds for salaries and for modernization and extension of the observational equipment. Even though recognized as a leader in the region, especially in the field of the spectroscopy and optical photometry, IA cannot hold yet its well-deserved position in the European family of astronomical observatories, remaining outside of the large-scale astronomical initiatives and structures like OPTICON, NEON, ESO. Like other East European countries, Bulgaria makes big efforts to stimulate its economy and to reform and modernise the existing scientific structures. However, the funds for science, provided by the government, are extremely insufficient; that is why our country faces real difficulties in the process of integration into the European Research Area.
Co-work with young people is one of the main activities stated in the strategic plan for the future development. By modernizing the observational facilities at NAO Rozhen, we aim to extend the range of astronomical projects, based on original observational data, and thus to make Astronomy more attractive for the young people in Bulgaria and in the region.
The Institute of Astronomy operates two observatories for optical astronomical observations: The National Astronomical Observatory „Rozhen“ (NAO-Rozhen) and The Belogradchik Astronomical Observatory  (BAO), as well as the infrastructure needed for them. 

\subsection{The National Astronomical Observatory „Rozhen“ }
Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory (NAO) is in operation since 1980. It is located approximately 80 km southward from the second largest city in Bulgaria – Plovdiv in the Rhodopes mountains at 1750 m above sea level. Rozhen NAO comprises of four telescopes: universal 200 cm Ritchey-Chrétien-Coudé reflector, 50/70 cm Schmidt telescope, 60 cm Cassegrain telescope - all three made by Carl Zeiss factory, and 15 cm Lyot coronagraph. The 200 cm telescope has coudé and direct focuses, it is equipped with two liquid nitrogen cooled professional CCD cameras, UBVRI and interference filter sets, and two-channel focal reducer. Smaller telescopes are equipped with thermo-electric cooled CCD cameras and UBVRI filter sets.
	The Observatory has been established as a highest level academic center for acquisition, analysis, archiving and disseminating of the scientific data. With its facilities and capabilities Rozhen NAO is the biggest astronomical complex in South-East Europe in the field of optical astronomy. The Observatory is included in the European Portal on Research Infrastructures Database ( www.riportal.eu/ ). Due to the Ritchey-Chrétien optical layout the 200 cm telescope provides direct imaging of the sky with high spatial resolution (12.8 “/mm). Coudé spectrograph allows obtaining the high signal-to-noise, high resolution (up to 35000) stellar spectra. A two channel focal reducer, mounted at the RC focus, allows several additional modes of observations - narrow-band and broad band imagin, low-dispersion spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry, polarimetric and Fabry-Perot imaging. 
		
	Several upgrades of the 2 meter telescope were accomplished during the last 5 years. In 2008 the main mirror and the first deflecting mirror to Coude were recoated with a new reflective layer. In 2009,  a new telescope control system was installed. In 2013 a fiber-fed, optical bench mounted, echelle spectrograph was designed, manufactured, and assembled. The most recent improvement of the observing facilities is related to the focal reducer - a lambda/2 retarder was purchased by Armagh observatory to be used for collaborative projects based on  polarimetric observations of astronomical objects.    
	
	\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[scale=0.18]{2m-dome-NAO.jpg} 
\hfill
\includegraphics[scale=0.48]{2m.jpg}
\caption{Left: The dome of the 2-meter telescope. Right: The 2-meter Ritchey-Chretien-Coude telescope.}
	\end{figure}

The smaller telescopes of NAO are 60 cm Cassagrain, 50/70/172 cm Schmidt, and a 15 cm Lyot coronograph.	
With its large field of view the Schmidt telescope is used mainly for studying small bodies in the Solar System.  Many kinds of variable stars and objects have been observed with 60 cm Cassegrain telescope. Solar coronagraph with H-alpha filter is used to register the dynamic events in solar corona. Scanning microdensitometer MDM6 and Epson 10000XL scanner are available for digitizing the plate archive of the Observatory. Internal network structure contains about 30 workstations, two servers, several wireless hot spots, and approximately 2 km of fibers. Computer class with ten computers, a conference hall with sixty seats and multimedia, twelve offices, some small apartments as well as hotel-like rooms for seventy persons are also accessible at the main Observatory building.

	\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[scale=0.58]{11-fig-Schmidt-60cm.jpg} 
\hfill
\includegraphics[scale=0.37]{Schmidt_telescope.jpg}
\caption{The smaller telescopes at NAO. Left: The domes of the 60 cm Cassagrain and of the Schmidt telescope (in foreground). Right: The 50/70 cm Schmidt telescope}
	\end{figure}

 
	After almost thirty years of its functioning Rozhen NAO has already gained world-wide recognition as a valuable source of unique astronomical information. More than one thousand scientific papers,  based on data obtained with the 200 cm telescope alone,  have been published so far.  They contribute substantially to many research fields of the contemporary astronomy – from physics of comets and asteroids, through stellar wind structure, anomalous abundance pattern of stellar atmospheres, tidal interactions and mass transfer in binary systems, through pulsating, flare and symbiotic stars, star-formation regions, stellar complexes and clusters in our Galaxy to the overall structure of near-by galaxies, and to active galactic nuclei and quasars.	Rozhen NAO is a very suitable place to organizing scientific meetings, schools, professional training courses, and astronomical practices for university and high-school students from the country and all around South-East Europe. Few thousands tourists and visitors hang out at the Observatory every year. Small 18 cm Celestron is at their disposal to give them a fresh look at the skies during the summer nights.  

\subsection{The Belogradchik  Astronomical Observatory} 
	The  Belogradchik Astronomical Observatory (BAO) was built in  the period  1961 - 1965 and till 1974  was used as a satellite tracking station. In 1968 it was equipped with a 60cm Cassegrain telescope and in 1971 – with an UBV photoelectric photometer. 
	After joining to the Department of Astronomy of BAS in 1976 it became full profesional astronomical unit. The altitude of the observatory  is 610m  and its coordinates are:  longitude  1h 30m 41s  and latitude  43$^{\circ}$37$'$ 22$"$.  
	During the years the observatory hosted many international meetings and schools of astronomy. In 1994 the observatory was equipped with a 36-cm Celestron telescope of Schmidt-Cassegrain type. 
	Currently two main modes of multi-band observations are carried out regularly: photoelectric observations with a single channel photometer, and direct imaging with a CCD camera. For about ten years a SBIG ST8 CCD has been used, in 2008 the 60 cm telescope was equipped with a Finger Lakes Instruments research grade CCD,  PL09000. The photometer uses GPS and its management is fully computerised. The data obtained are suitable for research in the fields of astrometry, astrophysics of some peculiar types variable stars and extragalactic objects. The observatory is open for student and tourist visits. 

\newpage
\section{Description of the Department of Astronomy,
St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia}

St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia (SU, http://www.uni-sofia.bg) is the largest and oldest (120 years old) institution of higher education in Bulgaria. It is also the second largest centre for scientific research in the country after the Bulgarian Academy of Science. 
	
	Founded in 1894, the Astronomical Observatory and the Department of Astronomy  (http://www.phys.uni-sofia.bg/~astro) of the SU is the oldest astronomical institution in Bulgaria from which later emerged all other astronomical institutions, e.g the Institute of Astronomy at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Up to date the Department is the only one responsible for the higher education of all three levels (BS, MSc and PhD) in the field of astronomy and astrophysics in Bulgaria. The annual graduation rate of students from the Department is: 4 - 8 BS, 3 - 5 MSc and 1 PhD. A significant number of our alumni further their education and/or find employment in prestigious astronomical institutions worldwide. 
	The facilities, the Department of Astronomy has are:
	\begin{itemize}
\item 10 offices and a small laboratory, situated at the Faculty of Physics
\item Astronomical Observatory, Borissova Gradina, Sofia,  with 2 telescope domes,  2 building containing 4 offices, one lecture hall and 2 technical laboratories and a meridian circle building
\item Student Astronomical Observatory, situated at the Geodesic Observatory Plana. 	
	\end{itemize}
\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[scale=0.5]{card_from_AO_Sofia.jpg}
\caption{The Astronomical Observatory, Borissova Gradina, Sofia. Left: The historical Grubb telescope. Top right: The old building with lecture room and offices. Bottom right: The radio telescope for educational purposes.}
\end{figure}
At the disposal of the undergraduate students in the Department there are a number of small astronomical instruments: a historical 6” Grubb refractor, 14” CGE1400 Celestron, equipped with  LHIRES III spectrograph with SBIG ST-1603 CCD camera, 14” Newton telescope, equipped with SBIG STL-11000M large-format CCD camera, two old-fashioned 15 cm telescopes (Zeiss Meniskas and AT 150) and a Small Radio Telescope SRT. There are also a number of smaller 6 cm and 8 cm Zeiss refractors for visual observing. The graduate students are also regularly using the observational facilities of the Institute of Astronomy.
	
	At present the permanent staff of the Department numbers 13, of which 4 are associate  professors, 2 are chief assistant professors, 1 is an assistant professor, 2 are researchers and 3 are technical staff. In addition, there are also 2 PhD students. The majority of the staff is involved in various cutting-edge research projects at both national (mainly with the Institute of Astronomy and the National Astronomical Observatory and the Bulgarian National Science Fund) and international levels (e.g. Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon and Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Grenoble, France, Armagh Observatory, UK, Gran Telescopio de Canarias, Spain, Zentrum fuer Astronomie Heidelberg, Germany, National Observatory of Athens and National and Kapodistrian University  of Athens, Greece, Gemini South and the University of Valparaiso, Chile). In the last five years as a result of the Department's research 90 papers, 35 of which were published in high-impact scientific journals. Part of these publications are in collaboration with scientists from the IANAO.
	
	Besides the standard university educational programmes the Department effectively performs a number of additional educational activities. These activities are oriented to young astronomers, teachers-physicists and students from secondary and elementary schools. A number of undergraduate and postgraduate research projects are carried out in the Department lead by the staff or in collaboration with the staff of the Institute of Astronomy, the University of Shumen and the Public Astronomical Observatories and Planetaria. An example of such activity is the unique Beli Brezi Summer School (http://astro-brezi.org), held annually since 1970. 
	
	Astronomy courses for high-school teachers from all over Bulgaria, with talks on selected topics on modern Astronomy and Astrophysics, are presented regularly in order to cover the National Educational Standards of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. The staff of the Department is developing a number of astronomical/astrophysical schoolbooks and resources and tools in Bulgarian for use by teachers and students in high schools in close collaboration with the teachers. Each year open days for schools to the facilities of the Department enable children from all over Bulgaria to get an insight in the work of professional astronomer and their instruments. Other outreach activities include organised visits of the Astronomical Observatory, Sofia, of school groups with ages 10 to 18, where the children get acquainted with the  astronomical instruments and are given talks on various astronomical topics. 
	
For educational purposes mainly, the Department of Astronomy has signed a collaboration agreement with the Geodesic Observatory Plana (http://plana.cc.bas.bg), situated only 30 km from Sofia and accessible by public transport.  A  35 cm Newton  telescope is installed with a SBIG STL 11000M CCD camera. The purpose is to have a near-by, easily accessible observational site, where both undergraduate and graduate students can obtain additional hand-on experience in observational astronomy. The instrumentation can also be used for research purposes.
	
\newpage 
\section{Description of the Astronomical center, 
Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen} 


Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen (Shumen University(ShU), www.shu-bg.net) is a national High school that provides education in a wide sphere of specialties in the field of Humanities, Natural, Technical and Social Sciences. It is founded almost 40 years ago.
 Shumen University has the following specific characteristics.
•	It is founded in a kind of town, that has a significant contributions in the education developing in Bulgaria, i.e. Shumen University is an University of Tradition. 
•	Shumen Univeristy is a member of the Association of the Classical Universities in Bulgaria 
•	Shumen University is an University of Tolerance because students of different ethnical groups study here 
•	Shumen University is a member of the European Association of Universities.
•	Shumen University is being certified for the qualification education under the international system ISO 2000.
The Astronomical Center of ShU is founded in 1997 with 3 main responsibilities: (i) education of the students in astronomy; (ii) research in astronomy; (iii) popularization of the astronomy. 
An astronomical dome with 3-m diameter was built in 1999 where 15-cm telescope "Meniskas" with astrocamera was set. Around the dome there is a platform for observation with small amateur telescopes (two 6-cm refractors, 6.5-cm reflector “Alkor”, visual tube and 6 sextants). 
The Astronomical center of ShU has also 2 studies for the staff with a rich library and 6 computer configurations with a modern software as well as a laboratory for practical exercises with 10 computers,  Schnell photometer, sextants, stellar maps, etc.
The academic staff of the Astronomical center of ShU consists of 2 full professors, 1 associate professor, 2 assistants, 1 PhD student. 
The education in astronomy of students from the physical specialities in ShU has 25 years tradition. From the academic 2004/2005 year there is a specialty Astronomy, bachelors’ degree and Astrophysics Master degree, in ShU. It got successfully accreditation in 2013 both in the distant form and the full timed form of education. The staff of the Astronomical center created above 10 books for the students of the speciality Astronomy: Spherical Astronomy; History of Astronomy; Astrophysics; Variable Stars; Plasma Astrophysics, Planetary physics, Celestial mechanics, etc. 
The staff of the Astronomical center realized also the education in Astronomy of the students in specialities: Physics; Geodesy; Biology \& Physics. 
Since 2013 the Astronomical center of Shumen University got accreditation for education of PhD students in Astrophysics and Stellar astronomy.
The Astronomical center has the equipment required for the practical education in Astronomy. It makes the ShU the only University excepting the Sofia University which provides observational practice for students. Furthermore, under the agreement between the Institute of Astronomy of BAS and Shumen University, summer practice with professional telescopes of the students from the specialty Astronomy is realized at the National Astronomical Observatory\-Rozhen.
The observational equipment of the Astronomical Center of ShU is used also for popularization work. Both observations and media press-conferences are organized for each significant astronomical event (eclipse, passage, etc.). 
The scientific investigations of the staff of the Astronomical Center of ShU in the area of variable stars (RS CVn stars, cataclysmic stars, eclipsing W UMa stars, exoplanets) have significant results and over 70 papers are published in the main European astronomical journals in astronomy. The staff of the Astronomical Center of ShU has taken part in the work of 9 international, 6 national and 6 regional scientific projects. 
Recently Shumen astronomical team was partner in the European educational projects “COSMOS”, “Pathway – The Pathway to Inquiry Based Science Teaching” and “LDSkills”. Workshops for high-school teachers from all over the Bulgaria with talks and presentations on selected topics on modern Astronomy and Astrophysics were organized at different places of the country from the staff of the Astronomical Center of ShU in the framework of these projects.
Moreover, Shumen astronomers were coordinator of the project “Student practice in astronomy” of the program of the EU “Development of the human resources”. 
\begin{figure}
\includegraphics[scale=0.16]{Shu_AC-tel.jpg}
\hfill
\includegraphics[scale=0.25]{astrodom_AC_ShU.jpg}
\caption{Left: The 3-meter dome with the 15-cm telescope. Right: Design of the future astro-dom for the 16-inch MEADE telescope and auxiliary infrastructure.}
\end{figure}
The Astronomical center of Shumen University was beneficent of the important scientific project „SMARTNET”: A Network of remote-controlled and robotic small astronomical telescopes in Bulgaria”. It was funded by the program “IDEAS” 2008 of the National Scientific Foundation of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. This project allowed providing of new astronomical equipment for all 4 partners in the framework of around 75000 evro. The main new facility for Shumen University was 16-inch MEADE telescope. The new astrodome for this telescope should be built till the end of 2014. 
Now the astronomical team of Shumen University is partner of the European project 543451-LLP-1-2013-1-GR-KA3-KA3MP- GEOTHNK ,“Semantic pathways for building a spatially-thinking society” (2013-2015), programme Lifelong learning 
So, the Shumen University has a national and international recognition as a third center in Bulgaria for education and scientific research in astronomy (after the Institute of Astronomy of the Bulgarian Academy of Science and Sofia University). 

\newpage
\section{Questionary }
\begin{center}

\begin{longtable}{ | p{3cm} | p{10cm} | }

\caption{\textbf{Application 1}} \\


\hline


\multirow{1}{*}{}  & \\
                  1. Name of infrastructure & Regional Astronomical Centre for Research and Education (RACIO, coming from the abbreviation of the Bulgarian translation) \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  2. Website & \url{http://www.nrri-bg.com/infrastructures/racio} \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  3. Location & Sofia, Rozhen, Shumen\\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  4. Type of institution & Nonprofit organization, Consortium \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  5. Subject area & Astronomy and Astrophysics -- Scientific Research, Scientific Instrumentation, Education (University undergraduate and graduate levels), Outreach \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  6. Type of RI & \begin{itemize}
                                   \item fundamental research
                                   \item education
                                   \item outreach
                                  \end{itemize} \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                  7. Short description & \begin{enumerate} \item RACIO combines scientific research, education outreach programs, executed by researchers and university lecturers from the Institute of Astronomy and National Astronomical Observatory (also operating the Astronomical Observatory Belogradchik (AOB)), the Astronomy Department (St Kliment Ohridski Sofia University) and the Astronomical Center (Konstantin Preslavski University of Shumen). \item RACIO is based on the current research and educational infrastructure and builds upon the existing links between the above three institutions. A unifying center for the development of the consortium is the National Astronomical Observatory Rozhen (NAO). \item The main objectives of RACIO are: efficient development of scientific research, improving the existing conditions and attracting new researchers; educational and outreach activities in the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics in Bulgaria; affirming the position of Bulgaria as a regional Astronomical Center and integration within the European Astronomical Structures. \end{enumerate} \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                  8. Category of RI (facilities / type; databases / type; complexes / type) & RACIO is a large and open access scientific infrastructure in Bulgaria, combining the available instrumentation for astronomical observations, research groups working in the field of Astronomy, centers for education of university students at all levels. RACIO will allow wide access for scientists from all over the world to Bulgarian astronomical instrumentation. RACIO will popularize Astronomy to the general public by giving unlimited access to the astronomical instruments, appearing in the media,  preparing press releases on current interesting astronomical events, organizing public observing sessions, and providing logistic help to amateur astronomers. \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  9. Year of commissioning & 2010 \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                  10. RI includes: \begin{itemize} \item Large-scale scientific equipment; \item Research digital collection, archive and / or structured information; \item IT-based infrastructure; \item Unique formations of research units connected in a network. \end{itemize} & RACIO aims to provide support and further development of the existing astronomical infrastructure in Bulgaria (telescopes, light detectors, and other auxiliary instrumentation, educational centers, buildings, etc.) including: \begin{enumerate} \item The National Astronomical Observatory (NAO) -- the largest working astronomical infrastructure in the region of Southeastern Europe. The equipment consists of four telescopes: universal 200 cm Ritchey-Chretien-Coude reflector, 50/70 cm Schmidt telescope, 60 cm Cassegrain telescope -- all three made by Carl Zeiss factory, and 15 cm Lyot coronagraph. The 200 cm telescope has coudé and direct focuses, it is equipped with two liquid nitrogen cooled professional CCD cameras, UBVRI and interference filter sets, and two-channel focal reducer FoReRo 2, high-resolution echelle spectrograph ESPERO. The smaller telescopes are equipped with thermo-electric cooled CCD cameras and UBVRI, Sloan and number of narrow-band filter sets. \item Astronomy Department at St Kliment Ohridski Sofia University with Astronomical Observatory, Borissova Gradina, Sofia and Student Astronomical Observatory (SAO) Plana. \item Astronomical Center of Shumen University (AC ShU)
RACIO creates and develops: astronomical database with astronomical observations archive; communication network for exchange of unique astronomical observations worldwide; opportunity for doing remote-controlled astronomical observations; a network of robotic telescopes (under development); visitor centers for astronomical outreach at NAO Rozhen, AO, Sofia, and the Astronomical Center of the University of Shumen. \end{enumerate} \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                  11. Type of the suggested infrastructure: \begin{itemize} \item Self-situated; \item In several locations connected into a network; \item Virtual \end{itemize} & The core of RACIO is NAO Rozhen, which is a self-situated center, with existing astronomical equipment (observing, housing and administrative infrastructure of the NAO, and AOB). Other RACIO facilities are: the Department of Astronomy of the Sofia University and its observatories in Sofia and Plana and the Astronomical Center of the University of Shumen. \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  12. FTE scientific/ engineering staff & 96 employees (This is the sum of the scientific, engineering and additional personnel of the three institutions in 2014. 20\% more are needed for the efficient execution of RACIO). \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  13. Total investment for the construction of the infrastructure, including maintenance. & 17.409 MEuro for 5 years \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                  14. Types of costs (construction, maintenance, networking, participation in international networks, etc.). & \begin{itemize} \item Investigation of the energy efficiency of the main domestic and administrative building at the National Astronomical Observatory \item Building/renovation works for external wall insulation of the buildings (including observing towers, the domestic and administrative building) \item Incorporating central heating the two domestic buildings \item Renovation of the housing part of NAO with the aim of accommodating visitors and students throughout the year \item Renovation of the facilities of the Department of Astronomy \item Supporting the existing observing equipment, upgrading the observing facilities \item Renewing the light detectors \item Extending the powers of observations at NAO -- building two new robotic 1.2-meter telescopes, with their relevant infrastructure on the territory of the Observatory \item Creating the opportunity for distance observations and robotizing the current working telescopes \item Laying fiber-optic cable connecting NAO with the national communication network \item Creation of archive for the astronomical observations \end{itemize} \\
                   & \begin{itemize} \item Connecting to the Virtual Observatory \item Modernizing visitor centers and building new ones for nightly observations of visitors and amateur astronomers at NAO and Astronomical Center of Shumen University \item Building headquarters of RACIO in Sofia, which will also include a planetarium \item Incorporation of alternative energy sources (where appropriate) \end{itemize} \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  15. Average annual number of users of RI: & \begin{itemize} \item 150 astronomers -- researchers and lecturers (local and foriegn) \item 300 students (at university and high school level) \item 21\,000 visitors (from the country and abroad) \item 7000 virtual visitors \item Total average annual number of users: 28\,500 \end{itemize} \\
                  \hline
                  15.1. Approximate percentage of individual users of the number pointed in section 15 & The number of foreign users of the astronomical facilities in Bulgaria is strongly dependent on their technical condition and modernization. The creation of new facilities and renovation of the existing ones will drastically raise the interest among the scientists and the number of foreign astronomers visiting Bulgaria might increase to reach up to 100\% of the number of the Bulgarian astronomers. However, the more important result of the modernization of the astronomical equipment will be its incorporation in the observing program of the European network of 2-4 meter class telescopes coordinated by OPTICON. \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  15.2. Number of users in the given industry & Potentially more than 10 tour operator companies from the tourism sector, organizing trips to more than 10\,000 visitors to NAO Rozhen every year, plus about 10\,000 more individual visitors. The visitors to the Astronomical Observatory in Sofia may number up to 2\,000 per year, including both general public and school classes. The Astronomical Center of the University of Shumen hosts on average about 1\,500 visitors per year. \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  15.3. Number of foreign users & 75 \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  15.4. Number of virtual users & 7\,000 per year \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                  16. Opportunity to carry out: \begin{itemize} \item Scientific research \item Training \item Research and technology transfer \item Combination of different funding sources /Capital structure \end{itemize} & RACIO relies on the potential of the existing specialists and equipment as well as the research and education traditions in astronomy in Bulgaria. \begin{itemize} \item There is a strong basis for professional astronomical observations: the National Astronomical Observatory (the largest active astronomical facility in the region), the Astronomical Observatory in Belogradchik, the observing equipment of the Astronomy Department (Sofia University Observatory, Plana Student Observatory) and the Astronomical Center of the University of Shumen \item With the use of the existing equipment students in astronomy, both national and international, are trained at all educational levels. Planned student workshops and astronomical schools are organized for both university and high-school students \item Bulgarian astronomers participate in multinational partnerships and international observing campaigns \item The Astronomy department (St Kliment Ohridski Sofia University)  is the only Bulgarian institution accredited to teach astronomy at all professional levels -- bachelor, master and PhD (last accreditation in 2013) \item The Astronomy department (St Kliment Ohridski Sofia University) takes part in the preparation of the National educational requirements for the subject of Astronomy, taught at high-school level, as well as in writing the relevant books needed for the subject \end{itemize} \\
                   & \begin{itemize} \item Due to the fundamental nature of astronomical research, its development is strongly dependent on the country's financial support from the budget for the Academy and the Universities. Other major sources of funding are contracts with the Bulgarian Science Fund, Ministry of Education and Science, as well as European funds for science and education \end{itemize} \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                   & \\
                  17. Major international projects & Institute of Astronomy and National Astronomical Observatory (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) \begin{itemize} \item Bilateral colaboration projects with Belgium, Poland, Russia, Czech Republic, India \item International project FLAME by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) \item COST-action MP1104 ``Polarization as a tool to study the Solar System and beyond'' \item COST-action MP0905 ``Black Holes in a Violent Universe'' \item Bcool -- An international collaboration to study the dynamo generation of magnetic fields in cool stars (\url{http://bcool.ast.obs-mip.fr/Bcool/Bcool_cool_magnetic_stars.html}) \item The Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) consortium \end{itemize} \\
                   & \\
                   & Astronomy Department, St Kliment Ohridski Sofia University \begin{itemize} \item Colaboration project with France and Kazakhstan \item Bilateral colaboration projects with Germany and India \item Operational Programme Human Resources Development project, BG051 PO001-3.3.06-0057 \item CTA Consortium (CTA stands for ``Cherenkov Telescope Array'') -- An observatory for ground-based gamma-ray astronomy \end{itemize} \\
                   & \\
                   & Astronomical Center of the University of Shumen \begin{itemize} \item European project, part of the operational programmes ``Human Resources Development'' RESEARCHERS' NIGHT 2009 (call FP7-PEOPLE-NIGHT-2009) \item ``COSMOS: An Advanced Scientific Repository for Science Teaching and Learning'' (2007-2009) eContentplus-2006-410025 \item ``Student practice in astronomy in NAO Rozhen 2008-2009'' part of the programme ``Human Resources Development'' of the European Social Fund (2008-2009) \item ``The Pathway to Inquiry Based Science Teaching'' (2011-2014) SIS-CT-2010-266624 (FP7) \item ``LD-skills: Development of learning design skills for enhancing students' key competencies'' (2011-2013) 510276-LLP-2010-1-GR-COMENIUS-CMP-2D-skills \end{itemize} \\
                   & \\
                  \hline
                  18. Does the available RI correspond to the needs of the scientific community in Europe & The available astronomical infrastructure in Bulgaria makes it a reliable and valuable partner for scientific research and education cooperation with EU, USA, Russia, China, Chile, and India. Bulgarian astronomers take part in numerous international partnership agreements. Foreign astronomers get access to Bulgarian astronomical equipment every year. Bulgaria is present, via individual or institutional memberships, in international astronomical organizations: \begin{itemize} \item NAO Rozhen is included in the database for European scientific infrastructures created by the European commission with ID 838 (\url{http://www.riportal.eu}) \item Bulgaria is linked with the European astronomical organization ASTRONET and the The Optical Infrared Co-ordination Network for astronomy (OPTICON) and NAO Rozhen is included in the educational program of OPTICON \item The country is represented in the Standing Committee for Physical and Engineering Sciences of the European Science Foundation \item The country is a member of the Sub-Regional European Astronomical Committee (SREAC) \item Scientist from the Institute of Astronomy is a board member of the international consortium ``Bcool to study the dynamo generation of magnetic fields in cool stars'' as coordinator for evolved stars \item Participant in two COST actions (COST is an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in Science and Technology ) : MP1104 ``Polarization as a tool to study the Solar System and beyond'' and  MP0905 ``Black Holes in a Violent Universe'' \end{itemize} \\
                  \hline
                  19. Other & The Institute of Astronomy with National Astronomical Observatory (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) provides logistic support to the meteorological station of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences), a seismographic station of the National Institute for Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences), and an environmental monitoring station of the Ministry of Environment and Water in Bulgaria. In 2012 NAO got on its territory radio transmitter for the needs of the Bulgarian air traffic services authority. In 2012 the Institute of Astronomy with NAO started work on two contracts with: The Ministry of agriculture and food on ``Investigation of the influence of solar activity and climate change on population and quality of woods'' and The Ministry of Environment and Water in Bulgaria on ``Relationship between astronomical data for the atmosphere and air environmental parameters''. Project from operational programmes: \begin{enumerate} \item OP ``Human Resources Development'' -- ``Increasing the professional skills in the theory and practice in astronomy via multi-profile and interactive education'' (BG051PO001-3.3.06-0047) \item OP ``Competitiveness'' -- financing the publishing of the Bulgarian Astronomical Journal. \end{enumerate} Researchers from all three institutions work on 7 research projects funded by the Bulgarian Science Fund. \\
                   & \\
                  \hline


\end{longtable}
\end{center}

\newpage
\section{Sample Projects implemented by RACIO-members during the past 5 years}

\begin{verbatim}
call: Bulgaria Science fund, Ministry of education and Science, 
Young scientists completion, 2011 
Project title: Stellar Doppler Thomography: 
Setting up and application of the Doppler tomography methods 
for studding activity of different type stars (http://dt-project.astro.bas.bg/)
project acronim and ID: Stellar Doppler Tomography
duration: 2 y. 
total cost: 23 000 Euro
application area:  scientific research
collaborations: no partners
international collaborations:
Pascal Petit, Dr.
L'Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP), 
Toulouse, France
Web site:  http://dt-project.astro.bas.bg/   (in Bulgarian only)
            
call: OP Human Resources Development
Project title:  Supporting Development of PhD Students, 
Postdocs and Young Researchers”
project acronym and ID:  BG051PO001-3.3.06-0047
duration: 2012 - 2014
total budget:  120 000 Euro
application area:  university education
applicant: IANAO 
web site http://edu-pro.astro.bas.bg
             
call: OP Human Resource Development
Project title:  Development of interdisciplinary thinking 
and training of the young researchers in the field of 
interaction of light with materials
 project acronym and ID:  BG051PO001.3.3.04/54/2009
duration: 2009-2011
total budget:  120 000 Euro
application area:  university education
applicant: Institute of electronics
partners:  IANAO 

call: Minsitry of Education and Science
project title: A Network of remote-controlled  and  robotic 
small astronomical telescopes in Bulgaria
Project acronym and ID:  SMARTNET, DO 02-362 
duration: 2009 – 2011
total budget::  120 000 EURO
application area:  instrumentation and  university  education  
applicant: Shumen University
partners: IANAO, Sofia University, Public Observatory - Varna

call: by the NSF
Project title: Bulgarian National Astronomical Observatory - 
Centre of excellence in astronomy
project acronym and ID:  BG ASTRO CE ,  DO 02-85
duration: 2009 – 2014
total budget:  900 000 EURO
application area: instrumentation upgrade, new instrumentation, 
scientific research and university education
applicant: IANAO
partners: Sofia University, Shumen University,  ISRT - BAS

call:  by the Agency for disabled persons
Project title: Acces of disabled persons  to the 2-m telescope 
duration: 1 year
total budget: 10 000 EU
applicant: IANAO

call:  Bulgarian Ministry of Education, Yought and Science,  
the National Roadmap of RIs programm
project ID: DO 01-34 
total budget: 38 000 EU
applicant: RACIO

call: Indo-Bulgarian Bilateral Scientific Cooperation 
Project title: Short-term optical variability of various classes of luminous active galactic nuclei
project ID: DO 02-137/2009
duration: 2009-2014
total budget:  50 000 EURO
application area: cooperation among scientists and researchers from Bulgaria and India
applicant: IANAO 
partner:  ARIES, Nainital, India


call: Slovenian-Bulgarian Bilateral Scientific Cooperation
Project title: Interacting binary systems
project ID: NTS 01-152
duration:  2009-2011
total budget:  8 230 EURO
application area: cooperation among scientists and researchers from Bulgaria and Slovenia
applicant: IANAO 
partner: University of Ljubljana, Slovenia


call: Slovak-Bulgarian Research and Development Cooperation
Project title: Exploring the nature of outbursts of symbiotic stars
project ID: DNTS 01/14
duration:  2011-2014
total budget: 5 200 EURO
application area: cooperation among scientists and researchers from Bulgaria and Slovakia
applicant: IANAO 
partner: Astronomical Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia
 

call: Franch-Bulgarian Research and Development Cooperation
Project title: Magnetic fields in single late-type giants
project ID: RILA 5/10, RILA 01/14, DRILA 01/3
duration: 2011-2014
total budget:  10 000 EURO
application area: cooperation among scientists and researchers from Bulgaria and France
applicant: IANAO 
partners: CNRS and Université de Toulouse, France


call: Indo-Bulgarian Bilateral Scientific Cooperation
Project title: Search for low dimensional chaos in the time variability of accreting objects
project ID: DNTS 05/9
duration: 2013-2016
total budget:  31 300 EURO
application area: cooperation among scientists and researchers from Bulgaria and India
applicant: IANAO 
partner: Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, India


call: Austrian-Bulgarian Research and Development Cooperation
Project title: Delta-A photometry of peculiar objects and star clusters
project ID: DNTS/AVSTRIA 01/7
duration: 2013-2015
total budget:  3 300 EURO
application area: cooperation among scientists and researchers from Bulgaria and Austria
applicant: IANAO 
partners: University of Vienna, Austria

PATHWAY
project title: The Pathway to Inquiry Based Science Teaching
acronym: Pathway
project grand agreement number: SIS-CT-2010-266624
duration: 2011 – 2013
call: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7calls/home_en.html?fuseaction=UserSite.CapacitiesDetailsCallPage&call_id=271
FP7-Science-in-Society-2010-1, Coordination and support actions (Supporting)
Activity 5.2.2 Young people and science
Area 5.2.2.1 Supporting formal and informal science education in schools as well as through science centres and museums and other relevant means
SiS-2010-2.2.1-1 Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
total budget: 3 579 930 EURO
participants:
1 (coordinator) University of Bayreuth UBT Germany
2 The Weizmann Institute of Science WEIZMANN Israel
3 Austrian Ministry of Education BMUKK Austria
4 University of Cambridge CAM UK
5 University of Barcelona UB Spain
6 Ellinogermaniki Agogi EA Greece
7 FUTURELAB FUTURELAB UK
8 National Museum of Science and Technology “Leonardo da Vinci” NMST Italy
9 Institute of Accelerating Systems and Applications IASA Greece
10 University of Amsterdam UVA The Netherlands
11 European Organisation for Nuclear Research CERN Switzerland
12 Center for Research and Technology Hellas CERTH Greece
13 European School Network EUN Belgium
14 Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FRAUNHOFER Germany
15 Dublin City University DCU Ireland
16 Helsinki University HU Finland
17 Pedagogical Institute – Greek Ministry of Education PI Greece
18 School of Pedagogical and Technological Education ASPETE Greece
19 University of Shumen SHU Bulgaria
20 Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin HUB Germany
21 University of Bamberg UNIBA Germany
22 Casa Corpului Didactic Cluj CCDC Romania
23 European Physical Society EPS France
24 Centre of Information Technologies and Leaning Environments CITLE Russia
25 Shodor Foundation, National Resource for Computational Science Education, Durham N.C. Shodor USA



LD-Skills
call: Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, Lifelong Learning: Comenius, ICT and Languages, Lifelong Learning Programme
project title: LD-skills: Development of learning design skills for enhancing students' key competencies
acronym: LD-Skills
Grant Agreement for an action with Multiple Beneficiaries
Agreement number – 2010 – 4197 / 001 – 001
Project number – 510276-LLP-1-2010-10GR-COMENIUS-CMP
duration: 01-01-2011 – 31-12-2012
total budget: 399 611 EURO
participants:
1. Ellinogermaniki Agogi School, Greece - coordinator
2. MENON Network EEIG, Belgium
3.University Of Vienna, Austria
4. Shumen University, Bulgaria
5. Humboldt-University of Berlin, Germany
6. Dokuz Eyul University Buca Faculty of Education, Turkey

Geothink
call: Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, Lifelong Learning: Comenius, ICT and Languages, Lifelong Learning Programme
project title: Semantic pathways for building a spatially-thinking society „GEOTHNK”
acronym: Geothink
Grant Agreement for an action with Multiple Beneficiaries
Agreement number – 2013 – 3954 / 001 – 001
Project number – 543451-LLP-1-2013-1-GR-KA3-KA3MP
duration: 2013 – 2015
total budget: 533 099 EURO
participants:
1. National Technical University of Athens, Greece - coordinator
2. Association of Geographic Information Laboratories for Europe, Holland
3. Bundesministerum fuer Unterricht, Kunst und Kultur, Austria
4. Casa Corpulul Didactic Cluj, Romania
5. INTRASOFT International S.A., Luxemburg
6. Shumen University, Bulgaria
7. Stichting Geofort, Holland
8. Ellinogermaniki Agogi School, Greece

\end{verbatim}

\newpage
\section{Management structure}
%\includepdf[scale=0.7]{RACIO_management2.pdf}
\includegraphics[scale=0.85]{RACIO_management2a.jpg}


\end{document}